Fowler announces campaign for state senate

Mayor Dale Fowler stood in the lobby of the Bonan Business Banquet & Meeting Space on Thursday morning, surrounded by his friends and family, and announced his campaign for the 59th District of the Illinois State Senate.

Fowler, who will be running as a Republican, will be challenging Senator Gary Forby, a Democrat from Benton.

"On behalf of all of the hardworking people of Southern Illinois, it's time we stand up to the career politicians in Chicago and Springfield, and make our voices heard," Fowler said.

In a release issued by Fowler's campaign office, Fowler cited his work as mayor of Harrisburg and his background in business development at Peoples National Bank as some of the ways he learned about the importance of improving the business climate in Illinois.

Running under the motto of "More Business, Less Politics," Fowler spoke on the business advancements in Harrisburg, including the $10-14 million that the city currently has invested in new and developing businesses, including three from out of state.

"We did not give up, we brought them in, and we convinced them that their investment would be worth their time, and worth their efforts to the people of Southern Illinois," Fowler said.

Fowler also noted coal as another crucial point to his campaign. A supporter of clean coal technology, Fowler said that the advancements in technology could position Illinois to be a benefit to the world.

"We must work hard against the onerous EPA regulations to build a stronger coal environment," Fowler said.

"Hopefully, after next November, that will change; and we can start putting people back to work."

Fowler said that the driving force behind his campaign is putting his passion for creating jobs, and for Southern Illinois into action.

"It's not all that hard," Fowler said. "We talk about how great the opportunity can be, if you invest in Southern Illinois."

Fowler currently lives in Harrisburg with his wife Jill, and has two children; Hannah and Ben. Fowler was appointed as mayor in 2014, and currently works as a business development officer and associate vice president with Peoples National Bank.

He previously served as president of the United Way of Southern Illinois. He formed the "Clothes for Kids Program" in 2003, which became the Fowler­Bonan Foundation in 2011 and furnishes children in need across Southern Illinois with shoes and clothing.